Researchers from Pennsylvania State University and Duke
University tracked more than 700 children from across the
US between kindergarten and age 25 and found
a significant correlation between their social skills
as kindergartners and their success as adults two decades
later.

In 1991, teachers assessed how the
kindergartners interacted with each other socially using a
range of criteria like whether they cooperate with their
peers without prompting, if they're helpful to others, whether
they're good at understanding feelings, and if they can resolve
problems on their own.

Researchers then kept track of whether the students went on
to graduate high school on time, get a college degree, and
find and keep a full-time job by 25. They also monitored the
participants' involvement with crime, drug abuse, public
assistance, and mental health issues.

The results showed that socially competent children were far
more likely to earn a college degree and have a
full-time job by 25 than those with limited social
skills. Those with limited social skills also had a higher chance
of getting arrested, binge drinking, and applying for public
housing.

The good news, according to Damon Jones, lead author of the
study, is that intervention at a young age can help improve
social and emotional skills.

"This research by itself doesn't prove that higher social
competence can lead to better outcomes later on," he
said in a release. "But when combined with other research, it
is clear that helping children develop these skills increases
their chances of success in school, work, and life."